- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Sustainability Report 2013: Water Usage in Papermaking https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/44218?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/44218?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/44218?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Sustainability Report 2013: Water Usage in Papermaking&body=ESG News from Sappi North America https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/44218?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Environment](/CSR-News/environment-0) # Sustainability Report 2013: Water Usage in Papermaking ##### Be sure to check out this new infographic on water use in papermaking. Apr 16, 2014 12:35 PM ET Campaign: [Sustainability Report 2013](/news/campaign/sustainability-report-2013) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/WaterUsageDiagram.JPG "Sustainability Report 2013: Water Usage") ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/WaterUsage2.JPG "Sustainability Report 2013: Water Usage") ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/s3/images/WaterUsageDiagram.JPG?h=d81130f4 "Sustainability Report 2013: Water Usage") ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/s3/images/WaterUsage2.JPG?h=51c8c976 "Sustainability Report 2013: Water Usage") While access to water is an issue of global concern, it is critical to recognize local, site-specific resources. At Sappi, we derive 100% of our process water from surface sources and return over 90% of it to the same, or nearby, sources. Water is used in all major manufacturing stages and to generate steam for use in processes and on-site power generation. As with all environmental matters, we also understand that our impact extends beyond our mill gates. Herein we present a holistic view of water usage for papermaking. Less than 1 percent of the world’s water is easily acces­sible freshwater and increasing population, urbanization, per capita demand, and pollution damage to supplies will put even greater pressure on these resources. While access to water is an issue of global concern, it is critical to recognize local, site-specific resources. Sappi’s US manufacturing operations are located in regions of little or no water scarcity (Maine and Minnesota). A macro study on the effects of global warming on water supply and demand in the contiguous United States points out that the three categories of water use with the greatest demand are agricultural use, power plant cooling, and public supply. In the United States, industrial water use makes up 4 percent of total water withdrawals (see adjacent chart). Thermoelectric power (49 percent), irrigation (31 percent) and public supply (11 percent) make up a total of 91 percent of the water withdrawals in the US. Although the manufacture of pulp and paper is water-use intensive relative to most other industries, the amount of water consumed (i.e., evaporated or exported with products or residuals) represents a small fraction of the overall water used. Approximately 90 percent of the water used by the US forest products industry is returned to surface waters following treatment. An overview of water use in our operations is depicted in our [downloadable image](http://www.na.sappi.com/eQ/files/infographics/water.pdf). For more information, readers are encouraged to download our white paper, “Water Use and Treatment in the Pulp and Paper Industry,” by visiting *[www.na.sappi.com/eQ/insights.html](http://www.na.sappi.com/eQ/insights.html)* **Read the full SFPNA Sustainability Report 2013 by downloading an online PDF version directly from our website [here](http://www.na.sappi.com/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=bfd1fe82-a231-4157-adf1-a574f9b96e26&groupId=10165).** [![Sappi Logo](/sites/default/files/2024-09/Logo_Sappi-North-America.jpeg)](/profiles/sappi-north-america) ### More from Sappi North America ###### [Sappi Recognized With Climate Performance Award From ClimateWork Maine](/news/sappi-recognized-climate-performance-award-climatework-maine) Mar 20, 2026 11:40 AM ET ###### [Sappi’s Strong Sustainability Performance Confirmed by CDP A List 2025](/news/sappis-strong-sustainability-performance-confirmed-cdp-list-2025) Jan 15, 2026 3:45 PM ET ###### [Sappi Assembles Top Manufacturing Talent To Lead Growth in Maine and Beyond](/news/sappi-assembles-top-manufacturing-talent-lead-growth-maine-and-beyond) Sep 30, 2025 9:40 AM ET ###### [Sappi Showcases “What’s Next” in Sustainable Packaging at PackExpo Las Vegas](/news/sappi-showcases-whats-next-sustainable-packaging-packexpo-las-vegas) Sep 29, 2025 10:30 AM ET ###### [Sappi North America CEO Michael Haws Named Mainebiz 2025 Business Leader of the Year](/news/sappi-north-america-ceo-michael-haws-named-mainebiz-2025-business-leader-year) Mar 25, 2025 11:05 AM ET ###### [Sappi North America Announces Strategic Leadership Changes Across Key Business Divisions](/news/sappi-north-america-announces-strategic-leadership-changes-across-key-business-divisions) Sep 19, 2024 11:30 AM ET ###### [Sappi North America Releases 2023 Sustainability Report, Earning Several Awards for Growth and Social Responsibility](/news/sappi-north-america-releases-2023-sustainability-report-earning-several-awards-growth-and) Sep 18, 2024 9:15 AM ET ###### [Sappi To Showcase Its Many Exceptional High-Quality Products at This Year’s Labelexpo Americas](/news/sappi-showcase-its-many-exceptional-high-quality-products-years-labelexpo-americas) Sep 10, 2024 2:46 PM ET